What is a US College? University or polytechnic?

[ray245]

I'm extremely confused by the fact that most americans through around the word college like they are a university, when they seemed rather different from a 'normal' university. From what most people described their college, it seem like a polytechnic to me.

Can someone clarify it for me?

[fgalkin]

Wiki can be your friend sometimes

Admittedly, not often.

Have a very nice day.
-fgalkin

[Howedar]

I'm extremely confused by the fact that most americans through around the word college like they are a university, when they seemed rather different from a 'normal' university. From what most people described their college, it seem like a polytechnic to me.

Can someone clarify it for me?

People in different areas throw around words that have subtly different meanings. Colleges here often are effectively universities, as fgalkin points out.

[The Dark]

I'm extremely confused by the fact that most americans through around the word college like they are a university, when they seemed rather different from a 'normal' university. From what most people described their college, it seem like a polytechnic to me.

Can someone clarify it for me?

People in different areas throw around words that have subtly different meanings. Colleges here often are effectively universities, as fgalkin points out.

True. The second post-high school institution I went to was Florida Southern College, which is technically a low-level university (only 3 graduate programs), but has kept the "college" name so its abbreviated form doesn't cause confusion with Florida State University. The fourth school, Rollins College, maintains that name because its graduate programs are separate schools under an umbrella administration (there's Rollins College, Hamilton Holt School (education and psychology), and Crummer Graduate School of Business - each has separate faculties and staffs (including deans), but all are under the President of the College).

[Knife]

In America, the differnce between college and university is usually population, though it could be a funding thing too.

However, don't get me wrong, there are plenty of votech schools that are termed 'college' too.

[Dartzap]

It was bloody confusing enough over here before your lot started adding names to schools and colleges.

I currently go to a college for 16 -90 year olds which has a weekly population of 16,000 people, heh.

[Lazarus]

As far as I was aware:

UK:
College = 16-18 years
University = 18-21 years, plus post grads, mature students etc

USA:
Senior High = 16-18 years (ish?)
College = 18-21 years + etc

I thought the two terms were interchangable in the US, but have actual different meanings in the UK.

[Dartzap]

My college is a "Community" College, so anyone from 16 onwards can do lessons there, heh.

For some reason or anouther the poor Secondary School is being called a High School now.

That's only happened recently, mind.

[Master of Cards]

As far as I was aware:


USA:
Senior High = 16-18 years (ish?)
College = 18-21 years + etc

I thought the two terms were interchangable in the US, but have actual different meanings in the UK.

Junior High(Middle School) is 6th(or 7th) through 8th(or 9th). Senior High(High School) is 9th (or 10th) through 12th grade. College is just a genric term for all after HS things in y area. A 4 year college is a Univerity is what you might be thinking of.

[Master of Cards]

As far as I was aware:


USA:
Senior High = 16-18 years (ish?)
College = 18-21 years + etc

I thought the two terms were interchangable in the US, but have actual different meanings in the UK.

Junior High(Middle School) is 6th(or 7th) through 8th(or 9th). Senior High(High School) is 9th (or 10th) through 12th grade. College is just a genric term for all after HS things in y area. A 4 year college is a Univerity is what you might be thinking of.

[Master of Ossus]

In America, the differnce between college and university is usually population, though it could be a funding thing too.

However, don't get me wrong, there are plenty of votech schools that are termed 'college' too.

No. In the US, a college offers undergraduate bachelor's degrees while a university offers graduate degrees, as well. A "university" will usually (but not always) also have an undergraduate program.

[InnocentBystander]

I've never heard anyone call High School "Senior High".

[ray245]

As far as I was aware:

UK:
College = 16-18 years
University = 18-21 years, plus post grads, mature students etc

USA:
Senior High = 16-18 years (ish?)
College = 18-21 years + etc

I thought the two terms were interchangable in the US, but have actual different meanings in the UK.

Given that my country is based on a UK school system, It's rather confusing to me.

By the way, which instution offers a diploma? High School?

[Civil War Man]

By the way, which instution offers a diploma? High School?

Diploma is more a word for the actual certificate indicating graduation.

EDIT: In the US, it usually is used in reference to HS (High School diploma versus College degree), but the definition of diploma is for the physical certificate.

[The Dark]

I've never heard anyone call High School "Senior High".

It's a leftover from when it was Elementary School, Junior High, and Senior High.

No. In the US, a college offers undergraduate bachelor's degrees while a university offers graduate degrees, as well. A "university" will usually (but not always) also have an undergraduate program.

Mostly true, but since it's not a legal requirement, it has its exceptions - Boston College and Dartmouth College are both considered high-level "universities," but have retained the college name for historical reasons (and in BC's case, because there's already a BU).

[phongn]

I've never heard anyone call High School "Senior High".

It's not usually used these days ("middle school" having replaced "junior high"), though around where I live the older schools still have traces of it in various places.

No. In the US, a college offers undergraduate bachelor's degrees while a university offers graduate degrees, as well. A "university" will usually (but not always) also have an undergraduate program.

Don't forget the community college/junior college, which usually offers two-year degrees and (often) vocational and technical training.

[Fingolfin_Noldor]

And to add to the spice, in France, I hear a university is a "Polytechnique" and they dole out diplomas.

[ray245]

So when you are going to work overseas, you are basically giving your employer a wrong impression on your skills?

[Knife]

So when you are going to work overseas, you are basically giving your employer a wrong impression on your skills?

Why, the certification and licencing or degree would mean more than the technical name of the school from where you got it, I would think.

[ray245]

So when you are going to work overseas, you are basically giving your employer a wrong impression on your skills?

Why, the certification and licencing or degree would mean more than the technical name of the school from where you got it, I would think.

But internationally, wouldn't the company be well confused by what is ur highest qualification?

I mean...you can get a diploma in germany which can mean a master degree in other countries, that means there is a high chance you will be overlook due to what is your 'title'.

[Hawkwings]

It'd probably be a diploma in a certain field with several letters and abbreviations following it denoting exactly what it was, and whatever recognition organization endorsed the school's program, etc.